If you are just learning to surf or are an experienced professional surfer the one thing you need to pack along with your surfboard is a good pair of the best surf booties. That is if you really want to enjoy hours of surfing fun, without worrying about cold temperatures or hurting your feet on rocks and reefs.
Surfing without a good grip can be hard. Surfing booties are designed to keep the water out while giving you a great natural grip on the board so that you can maneuver and move your board as you want. What makes a bootie comfortable to wear and use is its design, fit and the material used in its construction since these factors strongly affect the build of the bootie.
The surf booties available for men and women are majorly the same, with a few manufacturers offering a few differentiated products for women, which have been designed more from the viewpoint of how simple they are to use and how good they look
One of the things you need to clearly look out for while buying booties, is how comfortable you are wearing the bootie and how it fits on your feet. Try and get one that fits snuggly on your feet without being too tight or too loose, as otherwise, it may slip out from your foot.
Given the wide range and designs of booties available in the market it may not be easy for you to select the best surf booties for you, which is the reason we have shortlisted some of the best booties available in the market nowadays.
Contents
- The Best Surf Booties
- How to choose the surf booties
- Split Toe Booties V/S Round Toe Booties
- FAQs
- 1. Which Is A Better Option Between The Split Toe And Rounded Toe Booties?
- 2. Will Wearing The Best Surf Booties, Make Me A Better Surfer?
- 3. What Are The Types Of Seams Available In Booties?
- 4. How Does One Take Care Of One’s Surf Booties?
- 5. Why Do These Booties Sometimes Smell? Should They Be Changed If They Smell?
- 6. If I Get Wrong Size, Will My Booties Be Changed By Suppliers?
- Go For The Best Surf Booties And Treasure Your Surfing Experiences For A Lifetime
The Best Surf Booties
Find below the best surf booties:
1. Surf booties Hyperflex Pro Series
A well designed and strong surfing bootie it has received many five-star ratings from satisfied customers on Amazon. An imported bootie made 100% from fibers it has super grip soles, which are a must while surfing. The superior and stronger grip helps you maintain board control while giving you a great board feel.
The design of these booties incorporates diamond shaped channels in the protective and durable soles, to let the water pass easily between the board and booties.
The super stretch neoprene, of which these booties are crafted, makes it easy for you to move your foot so that you can comfortably surf for long periods while having enough flexibility and control onboard.
Enjoy the warmth of the p4 micro fleece thermal lining, which will keep your feet comfortable and cushioned against the cold. A specially designed taper lock closure limits cold water flushing within the bootie, while at the same time ensuring easy entry and exit for the water.
The bootie is strong, sleek and has no water leakage issues since it is double glued and has blind-stitch on the seams to give it durability and strength while sporting a sleek and stylish look. The booties also offer a great fit, since they are fitted with an ExoShell+ Membrane for support and adjustability.
Pros
- Comfortable and warm bootie for all weather conditions
- Designed to offer a superior grip while surfing
- Comfortable fit, helping you to surf for long durations
Cons
- More color options would be good.
2. Surf booties O’Neill Ninja
A sleek and super light bootie, that helps you surf comfortably no matter what the water conditions. You will love the comfortable feel of these booties while surfing since it has an indigenous FluidFlex and Krypto forefoot system that helps you balance and surf comfortably on your board.
The ultra-minimal design gives it a very fashionable look that you will love to sport when not surfing the high seas. The anti-flush shin strap is a good value addition and ensures that your bootie does not slip off while surfing. The durable foxing sole gives you a superior tight grip on the board and is made of long-lasting material.
To ensure that the bootie remains waterproof, the manufacturers O’Neill have given it a glued and blind-stitch seam construction. Many Amazon customers have given it positive reviews and grading for its value for money performance, making it one of the best surf booties available in the market.
Pros
- Sleek, stylish design for a fashionable look while surfing
- Strong design and construction
Cons
- Sole could be a bit thicker
3. Surf booties OMGear
If you are looking for a skin friendly water surfing bootie than these 3mm Neoprene booties by OMGear is a good option to consider. With more than 200 positive ratings on Amazon, by customers who have tried and tested these booties, you can be rest assured of their utility and quality while tackling the high seas.
These 3mm thickness bootie crafted with softy neoprene and sporting a 4-way stretchy nylon laminated design are both healthy to wear and durable for long lasting use while protecting your feet from and cuts and scratches while surfing. They are also suitable to wear in cold water conditions to protect your feet from the cold.
A low cut makes them flexible and easy to wear. It also sports an adjustable strap that helps tighten it to your ankle, while at the same time ensuring no sand or small objects enter inside these booties. These booties have an elastic loop on the heel part which is very useful for getting them on and off quite easily.
The reinforced and rubber printing sole is both abrasion and tear resistant while also being anti-slippery, no matter where you wear them, be it a sandy, rugged or slippery environment.
Pros
- The glued and blind stitched seams minimize the water coming into these booties.
- Keeps your feet warm, while surfing even in cold water conditions
Cons
- Could be a bit thicker
4. Sur booties Hyperflex Access
Add simplicity and efficiency to your surfing with these affordable and well-designed booties by Hyperflex. The minimalist and low profile design of these booties makes them an attractive proposition for those surfers looking for a great value-for-money bootie.
Crafted and built using bionic foam which is extremely durable and wear-resistant. The 4-way stretch neoprene is very flexible while being extremely strong and durable to handle the toughest weather and surfing conditions.
The unique diamond skin sole design provides excellent traction and protection while giving you a great natural feeling and control over your board. It also has miniature diamond-shaped channels for a better and firmer grip.
You need not worry about the durability and strength of these booties as the seams are double-glued and have a blind-stitch on them. All the seams have been stitched using a single-needle so that it does not puncture a hole in the bootie.
Pros
- Budget friendly bootie with premium features
- Extremely durable and long lasting
Cons
- Needs a split toe design as that would offer a better grip
5. Sur booties O’Neill Superfreak
If you are looking for a comfortable and easy to wear pair of surfing booties, then these booties by O’Neill Wetsuits is definitely worth a consideration. An imported pair of booties, these built for surfing boots are crafted with fluid foam neoprene, for a comfortable and form fitting fit.
These best surf booties are lightweight and durable, even though they are just 2mm thick.
The round toe design offers great mobility and grip while surfing even at high speeds. It sports a textured rubber sole, along with a torsion control front strap for superior grip on your board. Make these booties, which have received many positive reviews by customers on Amazon, a part of your surfing kit.
Pros
- Just 2mm thick makes them lightweight and easy to wear.
- It offers good protection against cold water conditions.
Cons
- Sole could have been thicker for more durability
How to choose the surf booties
Buying the best surf bootie is no easy task and needs careful research and consideration until one is completely satisfied with one’s choice. Booties, just like shoes have different materials used for their construction along with specific features as per their utility.
To select the best surf bootie, one needs to study all the different booties available in the market based on specific factors and then buy the one that meets their requirements perfectly. Some of the important factors you need to consider are;
1. The Styling Of The Bootie
While split toe and round toe are the two common types of booties found in the market, choosing between them is not easy due to the specific advantage each design offers.
While round toe booties are more comfortable to wear and can easily be slipped on and off, professionals prefer the split toe design due to the better grip and maneuverability it offers.
The grip and comfort offered by each style are different, so it is suggested that you try both the designs until you can decide which one works best for you.
2. The Thickness Of The Material
All the best surf booties are crafted with materials of different thicknesses, based on where and when you plan to use them. While booties with a thinner thickness may be better suited for warm climates, those looking at engaging in surfing activities in colder climates would find thicker materials more suitable due to the excellent heat insulation they offer.
The common thickness sizes available in the market are 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm, with the later being purchased more by people who surf in very cold waters.
3. The Insulation It Offers
Surfing booties were primarily designed to keep the feet warm while surfing in cool waters since long exposure to the cold elements could affect the feet of the surfer. Surf boots are crafted with neoprene, for this very reason as this material helps keep the feet warm, even during extended periods of usage.
Some manufacturers also include an inner lining, to provide extra warmth and comfort to the surfers.
4. The Design & Construction
Another important factor when it comes to the selection of your bootie. The build of the bootie should easily fit your feet and not leave any extra gaps around, as then the bootie would tend to be slippery.
The bootie you buy should be easy to adjust and tighten to prevent any water from seeping into it, while at the same time being flexible and comfortable to wear for long periods.
Booties are typically made of neoprene which has excellent insulation properties while being flexible and strong at the same time. Good quality neoprene booties should be able to withstand all weather elements and even protect your feet from scratches and cuts.
The seams and lining of the bootie should be ideally glued together and blind-stitched, i.e. stitched without the needle coming out from the other side to prevent any water from seeping inside your boot.
A tight and sleek ankle fastener should be a part of the bootie to give you a better fit and grip while wearing it. The ankle fastener also prevents any water from seeping into your booties.
Split Toe Booties V/S Round Toe Booties
The two primary models that you will find in the market are those which have a split toe i.e. there is a separate toe section in the bootie and round toe booties, which have a closed round shaped just like shoes. Split toe booties offer a better and sturdy grip on the board as per many surfing professionals, which is the reason surfing sporting enthusiasts prefer them.
Rounded toe booties, on the other hand, are found to be more comfortable to wear especially if you are looking at surfing for long durations. If you are a beginner or just looking at some non-competitive, relaxed surfing experience then you can opt for a rounded toe bootie.
FAQs
1. Which Is A Better Option Between The Split Toe And Rounded Toe Booties?
This actually depends on how comfortable the surfer is in wearing each design and their individual preferences. We suggest trying both the pairs for a couple of weeks before finalizing and selecting one pair that you can use continuously later.
2. Will Wearing The Best Surf Booties, Make Me A Better Surfer?
Surfing is all about balance and how you maneuver the waves, so the booties you wear will not affect your performance. However, having said that it is important to note that good quality booties can improve your grip and flexibility on the board, which could result in a better surfing performance as compared to one without using booties.
3. What Are The Types Of Seams Available In Booties?
Booties come with different seam designs such as taped seams, double glued and blind stitched. The primary reason behind the bootie seam is to give it a decorative look, while at the same time preventing water from entering into the bootie. Select one based on its water stoppage ability for a better performance and more durability from your booties.
4. How Does One Take Care Of One’s Surf Booties?
Surf booties like all surfing equipment need timely cleaning and maintenance to give a comfortable performance while lasting for many years. Make sure you clean them of sand, salt, and any other residue by rinsing them thoroughly and then drying them before you reuse them again. Keeping them in airy conditions will also help remove any foul smell that may emit from them after prolonged use.
5. Why Do These Booties Sometimes Smell? Should They Be Changed If They Smell?
All these booties are washable, and they smell if they are not cleaned well after using them, therefore you need to clean them after every use as per the instructions and there is no need change them for this reason.
6. If I Get Wrong Size, Will My Booties Be Changed By Suppliers?
Most of the amazon suppliers have ten days return or change policy so they will be changed but before buying check their polices.
Go For The Best Surf Booties And Treasure Your Surfing Experiences For A Lifetime
One of the main considerations for wearing surf booties is to keep your feet warm and comfortable while surfing across the ocean. This is especially essential when you are surfing in very cold waters. Apart from keeping your feet warm, they also help protect your feet against any sharp objects that may lie on the beach surface.
The best surf booties also help you balance better on the board and maneuver it around based on the surf. The high traction sole of surf booties also gives you a better grip and prevents you from slipping off the board while surfing.
Therefore, a good bootie will not only help you improve your surfing skills but also help you create memories that will last you a lifetime. When buying a surf bootie remember to consider all the design and material options, before you select the final one. The factors that we have outlined will help you make a properly informed and researched decision that will keep you happy for years to come.